Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s puretone threshold average and speech discrimination scores did not warrant a compensable disability rating. The claims for service connection of right and left upper extremity disabilities, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple knee and wrist conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health and lumbar spine disabilities. From July 11, 2013, to February 20, 2014, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent; from February 21, 2014, forward, it is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation was remanded due to the lack of loss of use in either lower extremity. The effective date for increased rating Crohn's disease remains January 15, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for swelling and loss of use of left hand is granted, but the claim for status post carpal tunnel surgery, left hand remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective June 6, 2016. The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of his TDIU claim due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for left wrist disability, but has remanded several other claims due to new evidence and incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability was granted, while the claim for left arm carpal tunnel condition was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic migraine headaches, but denied service connection for the other conditions listed. The Veteran's hypertension and tinnitus were not shown as chronic in service or within a year of discharge.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ear hearing loss on an extraschedular basis was denied. The Board found that the functional effects of his hearing loss, including difficulty understanding instructions and directions at work, were contemplated by the schedular criteria.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied due to his failure to provide necessary information regarding his employment status.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spondylosis, Meniere’s disease, obstructive sleep apnea, red splotches on back of neck, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence addressing all potential paths for service connection.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right wrist condition. The claims for reopening of service connection for arthritis of the left wrist and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus have been granted, but the cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, left wrist disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being submitted, and these cases will be reviewed again by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis with olfactory nerve damage and loss of smell, a low back disorder, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about his in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis, as well as his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, are all granted service connection. The Board found that these conditions were related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle fusion, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted annual clothing allowances for the calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018 due to use of right and left wrist braces. The appeal regarding the calendar year 2015 was denied as there was no timely application submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated and denied, with no new evidence or changes in condition warranting a different rating.